Promoviendo Prosperidad para Latinos del Mid Columbia *** Promoting Prosperity for Mid Columbia Latinos Claudia Montaño, Program Director NALCAB Fellow Nuestra Comunidad Sana A program of The Next Door, Inc. Hood River, Oregon

Nuestra Comunidad Sana’s Mission: “To develop leadership and share information to promote the well- being of Mid-Columbia Latino adults and youth by utilizing our healthy traditions, values and the best of our culture.” The Next Door, Inc.’s Mission: Opening doors to new possibilities by strengthening children and families and improving communities.

La Voz Latina del Mid Columbia Diabetes Obesity

Social Determinants of Health

Behind this beauty …

… is an ugly reality… Median per capita personal income in Hood River County -$47,159 and Wasco County was and $41,875 Wasco County the 2005 average monthly wage was $2,226 and could not fund the basic family budget for one adult with a single child or more Latinos are at critical mass in the Mid Columbia: There were an estimated 19,622 migrant and seasonal farm workers in the Oregon counties in 2008.

ugly reality continued Approximately 31.6% of children are living in poverty with the overall poverty rate in 2008 at 33.6% 40% of children enrolled in schools are Latino in Hood River. Over 58% of the children enrolled qualify for free or reduced lunch Poverty among Latinos is merciless among Latinos - “earn about half the average state per capita income. This forces many young Hispanics to drop out of school to find jobs to help support their families.” According to the Mexican Consulate, there is an estimated 90,000 undocumented Mexicans in Oregon

WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO ABOUT IT? Provide culturally appropriate and relevant support and resources to Mid Columbia Latino business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to combat poverty and increase their ability to improve their quality of life.

How are we doing this? Promote leadership development Immediately were able to implement idea from Leadership development class – Invernadero Raices More to it than just for NCS/NDI project – affects entire Latino Business Community

Invernadero Raices Greenhouse Put pictures here

What next? Developed Logic Model Address poverty through Community/Economic Development Applied for Community Economic Development Grants Working with USDA Rural Development to access grants/partnerships with local service area

The Hispanic Economic Development Corporation Who we want to be when we grow up…